Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Ohio REACTION/REVIEW

[@kwanshiyin]

Four college students were killed (Allison Krause, 19, Jeffrey Glenn Miller, 20, Sandra Lee Scheuer, 20, and William Knox Schroeder, 19) and nine wounded (one permanently paralyzed) by the Ohio National Guard on the Kent State campus. Scheuer and Schroeder were just walking to class. The guardsmen claimed they feared for their lives, but there is reason to believe that those claims were fabricated after the event. Of those shot, none was closer than 71 feet to the guardsmen. Of those killed, the nearest (Miller) was 265 feet away, and their average distance from the guardsmen was 345 feet. The victim furthest from the Guard was 750 feet away, some of them shot in the back as they ran. A commission appointed to investigate the shootings concluded "the indiscriminate firing of rifles into a crowd of students and the deaths that followed were unnecessary, unwarranted, and inexcusable."

[@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883]

Some of the guardsmen were students to. Might have been targeted victims.

[@kthor]

Sandra was a graduate of Boardman High School....where we live now & my kids graduated from.

[@LindaEll]

A friend of mine was a student at Kent State that day. Just trying to walk to class he was confronted by an army tank coming at him. Horrifying. Can you imagine how parents would react today if the national guard starting shooting college students?

[@nickface55]

It must have been a horrifying experience for anyone there. I'm not trying to belittle it in any way, but the Ohio National Guard did not have tanks at Kent State at that time. They did I believe have a few M113's which is an armored personnel carrier, albeit a very poor one. Even though it doesn't look much like a tank, I guess someone who did not know any better might have confused it.

[@tonydagostino6158]

Maga would applaud it

[@garywilloughby6893]

I was at a college in southern Indiana... it was traumatic I'll tell you. Kent State students killed by the Guard.

[@curmudgeon1933]

Parents don't seem to have too much to say about the horrifying death toll from gun deaths nowadays... more than 200 mass shootings in the US so far this year, 24 of them at a school.

[@sleigh4019]

There where no tanks .. Jeeps and one Troop carrier but k guess its looking like a mini tank to someone just walking up... Probably scare anyone to death that's never seen them..

[@myownchannel247]

CSNY actually pulled their hit song Teach Your Children (by Graham Nash) from radio stations to make room and promote this Neil Young song about the massacre at Kent State

[@alpetrocelli4465]

This is the greatest protest song ever written. I was in high school, and the line was drawn. The students were peacefully protesting Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia during the Viet Nam war, and the shooting sparked a nationwide student protest. A sad day in America. ✌️❤️🎶

[@scottgoodman8993]

Well, not really peaceful. But not really sure it needed a volley of rifle fire to suppress it.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

@@scottgoodman8993 None of those murdered by the National Guardsmen were within 300 feet of the firing squad that gunned them down. Save the spin.

[@annhardink]

@@scottgoodman8993 were you there or even old enough to read at the time?

[@scottgoodman8993]

I am 70. I recall reading about the riot very well. I live in Columbus, Ohio. The ROTC building had been burned the night before. Later, in College, I spoke with participants in 72,73 and 74.@@annhardink

[@marynorris8800]

My brother was there (Navy), just observing. He said there was two hippies they were trying to arrest, dragging them and everyone dog piled on the cops! That's when shots were fired!

[@cynergy4]

I remember when it happened very well. I was 14 at the time and was horrified! The images from the newspaper headlines has been seared into my memory forever. The more things change the more they stay the same

[@markburnham7512]

Same here. That was a crazy time for sure.

[@thomastimlin1724]

I was same age. To me the Kent State Massacre was the seed of all gun violence today. The difference is the military guns are no longer exclusive to the military. The Ohio National guard got off Scott free, as did the governor of Ohio running for re-election, proving that justice is for the rich and powerful and freedom of speech is phony dream. People telling me the Richard Nixon was a saint and was framed for Watergate are trying to rewrite history and deify an asshole. I've been on the grounds of Kent state twice in my life to remember and respect the 4, and the living or passed away other 9 victims wounded, one crippled for life. Nothing to do with Racism. But : On May 15, 1970, the police opened fire shortly after midnight on students (and passersby) in a May 14 protest of the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War at Jackson State College in Mississippi. Twelve students were wounded and two (21-year-old law student Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and 17-year-old high school student James Earl Green) were killed. They were also protesting Vietnam War.

[@CIB70637]

I was in a Army Hospital at the time recovering from being wounded in Viet Nam. When I saw that those National Guardsmen had killed unarmed students I was more than infuriated….I wanted revenge against those frightened so called soldiers. From months of jungle warfare where the shit really happens to seeing these cowards cutting down our own… I wished I could have taken my fellow soldiers and stood shoulder to shoulder with those students. Those Guardsmen wouldn’t stand a chance.

[@daveshep9400]

David drove out to Neil at his cabin with the news article. Neil walked out into the woods and came back and played this. David called Nash or Young and said get us a studio. It was playing on the radio 10 days later

[@rk41gator]

I remember when this tune came out and college campuses were in flames. The Vietnam War was very divisive and this song was an anthem for college age kids. It was so big at the time that even in England, Genesis wrote a song about it called 'The Knife'. It rocks.

[@andylawson87]

I just remember one crying parent on TV sobbing that"his daughter was not a bum!" after Nixon called the protesters "bums".

[@stevenmurano7863]

Given the subject/reason for this song and the story behind its writing, recording and release, this stands as one of the greatest rock songs ever release in my opinion….

[@cindyfalstrom7231]

Another very important song form the tumultuous Viet Nam era.This stupid war split the country in two. This event at Kent State was shocking and opened alot of eyes. My boyfriend (now husband) graduated from high school in 1973 and received his draft notice. We were so scared wondering what to do, then the Paris Peace Acoords were signed in 1973 , so miracle - no more war. Big relief for us, but thousands of young men died in this sensless war.

[@mrnobody3161]

Over 50,000 died. 🕊

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The war dragged on forever and included many nations at different times. There was an excellent series about it called “the 10,000 day war” that may be available here on the Tube.

[@zenpuppy6025]

Don’t ever be ashamed of what you don’t know. Just take it as an opportunity to learn about history. I was a high school student when this happened. At that time they had the draft. They would pick numbers out of a drawing. It was based on your birthdate. Around the first 100 numbers drawn they would be inducted into the military. My draft number was over 300 so I consider myself to have been very fortunate.

[@stevensprunger3422]

If I would’ve been a year older I would’ve been available for the draft

[@garyzink1927]

I got a draft card, they ended the draft months later. This occurred when I was in high school. A Tragedy. Prayers for those who suffered.

[@mesaeddie]

Same for me I had a draft number in the lower 3 hundreds.The thing is I had already went into the Navy several months prior. I was lucky being a Corpsman .

[@mikerichards67]

Mine was 69 and my father a Korean War veteran told me he was going to send me to Canada luckily for me the draft ended months later,I was very fortunate.

[@stevensprunger3422]

@@mikerichards67 Yeah I was too young to even think about Canada I don’t know what I would’ve done I didn’t have enough money to go to Canada and nobody would have supported me I mean my parents we didn’t have any money My father was in World War II he probably would’ve been ashamed of me but heck I didn’t even know what’s going on back then

[@jenniferfoster1692]

This is an incredible song about a horrible tragedy. The video is good because it shows things from that day and the students who were lost.

[@alimac1469]

I was going to suggest the video too

[@jenniferfoster1692]

I appreciate you looking up things during the reaction. It was a peaceful protest, the National Guard were in no danger, but they still started shooting. Some of the victims weren't even protesters.

[@bethhowton2719]

The only time I ever saw my mom cry over the news was then. I was 12 years old at the time and not paying that much attention. Blessed to have seen them live. Enjoy

[@guitarman8462]

Neil Young wrote this song in about an hr or so. The incident had a huge impact on him . All of them were also in a band called " Buffalo Springfield ".

[@boboquisp]

Only Stills and Young were in Buffalo Springfield. Crosby from The Byrds, Nash from The Hollies.

[@mrnobody3161]

​@@boboquisp This man has his facts 💯 right ✅

[@ericanderson8886]

Neil Young with the lead in this one, pretty wild times back then. "Almost Cut My Hair" would be another great listen from CSNY.

[@blindriv3r]

Yeah Neil plays the main riff and sings lead, Stills plays the lead guitar part

[@sfbayareagirl]

One of my favorite parts of this song is when David Crosby is yelling out at the end, "Four! Why? How many more? "

[@gpxo11]

This is one of those songs where the music is secondary as the message is at the forefront due to its importance and current shock of hearing the news.

[@natwind8472]

They were protesting the Vietnam War, it was mostly a sit in. Not all of the students killed that day were protesting either but instead just walking to class on campus. As students ran some were shot in the back. None were armed.

[@TomTom-ui9hg]

It was a time when my generation protested against the Vietnam War and Nixon didn't want the truth or the fact on how bad things were going. He went all out to try and end protesting and tried to make us the enemy. Remember, it was the draft and if your number was picked you had to go fight or you went to jail. It was a difficult time that divided the country. Many people have died because of this damn war but as they say, freedom always comes at a cost. Peace!

[@Pahdopony]

May 4th Coalition. I lived about 20 miles from Kent State University in 1970. Such a shocking and horrific event. You have to remember that young men were being drafted into the military to go to a pointless war in Vietnam. At least it was pointless for the US to get involved. Richard Nixon tried to prolong the war during his presidential campaign in an effort to win the presidency which resulted in an expanded US military presence in Vietnam. He had a plan to get the South Vietnamese to take over the region at the expense of our own young men who were being killed. Young people protested against the war and being drafted against their will. It was a turbulent time in American history.

[@arniezelkovitz6885]

“What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground…” well, I knew Allison Krause. She was a neighbor and schoolmate of mine. That phrase always gets to me because I did know her.

[@annakermode6646]

Neil Young speaking for you 😢

[@debbieplato5107]

I remember when this happened. There was an anti war protest going on at Kent State. The national guard was there and they got nervous and starting shooting. At least one if not more of the students shot were not even part of the protest. I was 16 at the time and there is a very famous photo that was taken of a women in shock by the body of one of girls that was shot. It was on the front page of the newspaper. Being Canadian I met a lot of draft dodgers at that time escaping the Vietnam War.

[@cynergy4]

The body was Allison Krause 😞

[@raymondmanderville505]

The national guard was made up of kids , the grocery delivery boy , the guy who makes pizza . They were jumpy & scared & your new to this duty . Some genius lite off fire works & the shooting started . Also the students gave some guardsmen oranges that were injected with LSD . They fucked around & found out .

[@alanfeldstein9761]

God bless all draft dodgers.

[@AP-gb3eh]

@@raymondmanderville505 where you there or is this some myth told to you. LSD? Fireworks?

[@raymondmanderville505]

@@AP-gb3eh it was on the news back then , but with the disclaimer word “ reputed “

[@HiramLoki]

Look up the famous photo from the Kent St massacre. It will explain this song.

[@jackknudson-rk1uv]

This is long, I was stationed on the DMZ in Korea when this happened. Nothing was said about it in our military newspaper called the stars. and stripes but my mother had subscribed the Des Moines Register for me, I've always been a newshound. The article covered 3 pages with the pictures. I cut it out and hung it on the wall over my bunk. My platoon seargent ordered me to take it down and I refused . Our CO stood there and read every word. He knew me well as he made me our acting supply seargent as a PFC to replace our drunken on. Since I took it over I had turned our Division worst supply room into the best one. He looked at and knew I wouldn't do it. He then took my seargent and First seargent aside and they talked for a while. He then turned to the open bay where 42 men were watching and loudly announced that this stay on my and we all shoud read it also. This was about two weeks after it happened, this stayed on my wall till I left Korea 7 months later. I had just turned 21 and had 3 brothers stationed in Vietnam which was why I was Korea instead of Vietnam.

[@bobschenkel7921]

One song Neil Young, and everyone else wishes he never had to write. I was twelve years old when this unspeakable act occurred, and I remember it very well. Armed Ohio National Guardsmen shot at unarmed students who were protesting the Viet Nam War. President Nixon and the Governor of Ohio, whose name I chose to forget, ordered the troops on to the campus to control the students, and the commanders on the ground lost control of the troops, and tragedy happened. In a true turn of irony, the Kent State mascot or logo is The Golden Flashes.

[@ZacCostilla]

My mom is from Kent and my dad is from Ravenna (after moving up from Texas), the next town east. My older brother was a baby and my mom couldn’t even get over to pick him up after work the day the shooting happened because all the roads were blocked off. I grew up going to KSU all the time for the library and the sports (basketball courts at the i traumarle gym and the ice skating rink we’re open to anyone but you had to pay to get in if you weren’t a student). I visited the Memorial several times and it was always haunting to me.

[@garyarnett1220]

One of the fastest songs to ever be released. Neil Young heard what happened, wrote it , they recorded it, and on the air in less than a month. Why were they shot? They happened to be walking by.

[@missrayelyn3045]

I was 19, living in CA, and going to college. My friend told me, we drove home and watched the news. After the shock wore off, people became very angry. I think everyone lost their innocence that day. Never again did I feel sure about what my government cant do.

[@victorjohnson7512]

I saw Crosby Stills and Nash (but not Neil Young) in 1995 at an outdoor concert. They still had the vocals...

[@konradv7]

The incident was still in the news and this song was already on the air!

[@smooch2955]

O-HI-O...part of the soundtrack of the Vietnam War

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

There was another college massacre less than two weeks later at Jackson State College, a historically black school in Mississippi, killing two young students. They were also protesting the Vietnam War and invasion of Cambodia. But their story was lost in the background of the Kent State story. In addition to this monumental song in the history of American popular music, the shooting had an even more lasting effect. Among the witnesses were Gerald Casale, Chrissie Hynde, and Chris Butler, founders respectively of Devo, The Pretenders, and The Waitresses. Devo formed well before punk and new wave became movements, and they are highly influential on the development of both forms. Chrissie would land in London working in retail for Malcolm McLaren and teach Sex Pistols' Steve Jones how to actually play his guitar. They turned her down for joining the band, but her own band, The Pretenders would prove to have longer staying power. And The Waitresses were central in the club scene in NYC during the same period.

[@rickkane7913]

It is terrible to have to admit to not knowing, or maybe remembering, the Jackson State killings. I was 18 at the time and still learning how to adult. Of course this song cut through to the heart and put Kent State high in the consciousness, but there was (and is) a lot of preferential valuing of life. Hopefully these events at least shortened the war...

[@Jessica_Roth]

Wow, I didn't know about Casale and Butler. Thanks. Also present, as I mentioned upthread, were former student Joe Walsh (visiting friends) and the future Alabama football coach, Nick Saban. Steve Miller covers both incidents in his "Jackson-Kent Blues" off his album, "Number 5" (which also includes "Industrial-Military Complex Hex" and the antiwar "Never Kill Another Man". There was also violence against students at the U. of New Mexico, in between Kent State and Jackson State, on May 8. But because the NM National Guard "only" used bayonets, there were 11 wounded, but no deaths. (Bunch of softies in New Mexico, apparently.)

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

@@Jessica_Roth Wow. So much came from this horrifying tragedy. I will check out those songs as well.

[@spikebeans9563]

Was young, but remember when this happened. Good song from a sad situation that should have never happened.

[@karenpowell6063]

Right after the Kent State shootings college campuses all across America exploded with protest . I was a freshman in college at the University of South Carolina, NG on campus for a month . Bad time

[@55MYAGE]

Story goes after Neil Young heard of Kent State he wrote this song in 15 minutes. Y'all know Neil is a Canuck, born in Red lake, Ontario and growing up in a suburb of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

[@justkaron]

I went to work the next morning and one of the salesmen said....it's a damn shame the Natl Guard didn't crack open more heads.... I detested that man BEFORE he ever said that. 😭 I live in Ohio, not real far from Kent state. Horrid times

[@margiemcpeak9304]

🎸💯 This song carried a lot of weight‼🔥 I remember the Kent State massacre all too well‼What a tragic event in history‼Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young had such a different sound/vibe‼I used to love them; but, hadn't listened to them for a long while‼Thanks for this "reminder" of the times, BizMatik‼☮ ❤ 🎶

[@pgrigg]

Thanks for sharing this and for your interest and thoughts. If you think about movements like Black Lives Matter or other giant protests, the Viet Nam War and particularly the draft, led to similar giant protests, especially among young people who might be drafted. It went on for years, and was actually quite merged with race relations at the time, though not entirely. Some of the more violent protestors bombed banks and took University offices hostage. It was escalating and Nixon called out the National Guard to protect Kent State University. But the Guard had no training in crowd control at the time and they beat students as students threw rocks at the National Guard. Because there was no one saying don't shoot, the National Guard were fully armed, and not with rubber bullets, and they shot into the crowd, killing those 4 students and wounding 9 others. I was in high school at the time, and only realized later that this moment in our history came to define my entire take on politics, which is that it is our job to make our leaders work for the people, rather than to just trust that they'll do the right thing. Still a very pertinent lesson for our current times.

[@gaillouise8310]

Don't want to watch your channel anymore after your lackadaisical response!!?!

[@mikepesce3334]

Has to be the most powerful and relevant political song ever, especially given the fact it came out only 10 days after the massacre

[@mikecaetano]

For additional context, the anti-war rally during which the students were shot was called to protest the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia, which Nixon had been secretly bombing for a year. "On March 18, 1969, American B-52s began carpet-bombing eastern Cambodia. 'Operation Breakfast' was the first course in a four-year bombing campaign that drew Cambodia headlong into the Vietnam War. The Nixon Administration kept the bombings secret from Congress for several months, insisting they were directed against legitimate Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge targets. However, the raids exacted an enormous cost from the Cambodian people: the US dropped 540,000 tons of bombs, killing anywhere from 150,000 to 500,000 civilians." (PBS) Nixon's secret war destabilized that country leading to a civil war and a genocide resulting in the deaths of 1.5 to 2 million people in the late seventies. That blood is on Henry Kissinger's hands too. Check out Dead Kennedys "Holiday In Cambodia" for a fiery follow up.

[@joelliebler5690]

This was one of the most important protest songs of The Vietnam war!

[@J_Gamble]

It is deep. There's an iconic photo of this event showing a young woman screaming/crying kneeling next to the body of a dead student. The kids hadn't done anything. At least was just walking to class. [The mid-reaction research is fun.]

[@Debcatawba]

Living in the greater Cleveland area, this was, and still is a sadly momentous part of our youth. I have friends who were there on campus that fateful day.

[@cletushouse906]

Different times back then, Biz. Great song and even better reaction.

[@daviddragavon7555]

Students for peace, armed with flowers. Anti war protesters. Vietnam. This song, and others did change our world. At least for awhile. We could use a new bunch.

[@mcityline8210]

They didn't want you to know. We lived through it and thought it was a history that would live on for all to know.

[@bennemer489]

I'm old enough to remember this. It was tragic.

[@terenzo50]

Still pissed off. Two of the dead were just walking between classes.

[@angelagoodwin5758]

I was 12 years old when this happened. I also grew up in a nearby city. During the time, there were many protests on college campuses against the war in Viet Nam.

[@lorin42]

This song shows the power of a song. Neil Young was very in touch with what was going on around him and wrote this song in about an hour. There was also a similar incident at Jackson State University.

[@jasonmccluskey3623]

Love this Tune!

[@buckfan1969]

Was a freshman in college in Ohio when this happened. They shut down all the schools, and I figured in the fall the protests would resume. I was wrong; not a peep anywhere in the fall of 1970. Protesting the war basically ended on May 4, 1970.

[@brachiator1]

It is amazing how quickly history is forgotten by younger generations. I remember when this song, and the Vietnam protests were fresh and vital. Lives depended on the decisions made. But now, even when people Google the background, they still don't understand.

[@marksanders8028]

Learning some history today Biz.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

I'm of that generation, I remember it well. The line "we are finally on our own", was exactly how we felt. Nixon and the government didn't care about us. It was a peaceful protest, and at one of those killed was not part of the protest. The protest it was against the Vietnam war.

[@1Imonk]

I am another one who remembers the time, along with the sentiment that followed among those of us with strong anti-war and anti-government opinions in those days. It was very different from the current mood in the country, but the ideological rift then was as sharp as it is now. We peacenicks just wanted an end to unjustifiable war, so we could have our homemegrown lifestyles. The students who were shot at Kent State turned out to be innocents transiting the protest area. You won my respect here, man, looking it up to learn the history. We must always remember Kent State and the shame of a government willing to murder civilians to make a point about the authority of those with the power of violence to quell ideas. When it was soldiers killing white middle class students, the violence against minorities in the country became more real across racial lines, too.

[@jasonmccluskey3623]

REAL SHIT!

[@akeleven]

I was in college then. My friend said she supported the shooting. I never spoke to her again. I turned activist. Protesting and changed parties. People in power were terrified of protest. The march in Tallahassee was met by armed police with riot guns on the capitol steps. We were just students. Remember this is in the wake of civil rights. Last time I voted Republican was the first time I had voted. Never again.

[@debjorgo]

It sounds pretty Rockin' to me. Great song!

[@christinewaide5249]

I can’t make it through the song without tearing up

[@nealtircuit9373]

You forgot one. You said music is an escape and a mirror to society. You forgot it can also be a call for justice.

[@KennyY-bh3zl]

It's easy to think of the '70s as a decade of peace and nonviolence, and then we're reminded of the horror of the Kent State shootings, in which National Guardsmen shot and killed four Vietnam War protestors. It was a horrible day in the history of our country.

[@gregheath8106]

I have twin daughters in college who will be 21 in a couple weeks. Makes this song hit extra hard.

[@debraschiro6234]

Miss Tina Turner died I'm Switzerland 83 years old we love you and we will miss you❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢

[@justkaron]

College kids were protesting the Vietnam War.

[@kayohmberger5294]

I was one of those students. We marched in D.C. soon after. Very angry days.

[@kennethbrown5164]

Song written about 4 student protestors at Kent State killed by US military.

[@jacobjones5269]

I once heard David Crosby describe Neil Young’s talent.. He said go listen to CS&N, then go listen to CSN&Y, and notice the difference..

[@alrivers2297]

Great song, but I always feel a little funny listening and enjoying it, knowing how tragic an incident it was. You mentioned Joni Mitchell, listen to her song Help Me. Being a lover of beautiful shit, you will definitely love this beautiful song.

[@mjp3186]

Nice reaction. A protest song. We could use such a song right now. Best wishes from the Netherlands

[@jeffreyhartley8115]

You should watch the video of this song

[@bobdelp2023]

THIS WAS ABOUT A PROTEST AND ALSO THE KENT STATE MURDERS BIZ, WRITTEN VERYYYYY QUICKLY BY NEIL AFTER IT HAPPENED! 😮 AMAZINGGGGG!😊

[@poutine57]

crazy times man. peace and love from Canada.

[@jowsmith1904]

excellent find from my early teens.

[@barbarabweaver1]

I was 16. People said, “if they had been in class they wouldn’t have been shot.” The guardsmen were young and untrained and panicked.

[@Jessica_Roth]

The Guard were ORDERED to fire. It took 45 years to enhance the audiotape, but the order is there. And 2 of the 4 WERE going to class; they got shot crossing the parking lot.

[@jimnicosia5934]

The national guard was called out to break up a war protest. And the guard started shooting. Killed four I beleive. .

[@RitaMae13]

Great vibes! Great memories of an awesome Era ✌️

[@thomasord8636]

It was a protest over the Vietnam war. Protest got a bit rowdy and the 4 kids were killed by national guard.

[@markwilliams5606]

Legendary. There 2 Gig was at Woodstock. Much appreciated 🌄🪴✌️🐴 Kent St 🕊️

[@laurahatzes6964]

Great reaction. I always have to look up facts myself so no one should be giving anyone a hard time! Sad song and just shows their hearts and talent. Almost Cut my Hair next?

[@sondrawhite3853]

I was in high school and remember the incident and the song very well, so sad

[@RobertaSirgutz-tu8xu]

They cover Joni's song "Woodstock". Great band.

[@lauraschwartz1077]

"Please come to Chicago", also one you would enjoy along the same political vein and commentary.

[@susansquire7968]

This was big time national news at the time it happened. It was at the height of the anti Vietnam War demonstrations. There had been many injuries to students protesting from coast to coast, but never armed military. There is a very famous Pulitzer Prize winning photo of a girl on the ground over the dead body of one of the victims, her face contorted in agony. Not only is there a pathetic lack of Black history not being taught in our schools, but important moments like this being seemingly some footnote in our shameful history. I was of the same age as some of these kids and heard my dad and his friends discussing this, and they were spewing hateful rhetoric, saying they got what they deserved. I was in tears screaming at them it could have been ME because I was an anti war protestor. It was so egregious CSNY came out with this almost immediately. I actually played it a few days ago. Please find the famous photo. It speaks volumes.

[@craigwells3655]

How much music is driven by fame and money. Give me music like this which is driven by outrage and a need to communicate what is going on. Sometimes, it takes someone with a different perspective to see the problems. A Canadian was needed to tell it like it was for Americans and the world. Love Neil.

[@Ozarkprepper643]

Was in Tempe Arizona when Kent State happened. In reaction sudents started rioting at ASU, Burning Down The ROTC building.

[@camerondempster4147]

Another protest song from the same era, Black Day in July. About the riot in Detroit. Also written by a Canadian. Gordon Lightfoot.

[@James-hd6ez]

Another sad fact i believe chrissie hynde who would later start a late 1970s early 1980s rock band called the Pretenders was present that day ( Although please double check what i have said here because it is only what i,have read and needs to be verifying) good instant reaction to the great neil young song about this tragic event all years ago about the students protesting the Vietnam War 😢

[@karenpowell6063]

They were protesting the Vietnam war and the draft .

[@nellgwenn]

Now you have to hear their song Chicago. Though your brother's bound and gagged, and they chained him to a chair, Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing...

[@glennmartin1632]

I was a teacher when this happened and my students were speechless like we felt when jfk went down

[@conniegaylord5206]

I graduated from High School that year. To set the times, we had a national draft which took young men, most right out of high school, to fight in Vietnam. Nixon promised to get us out Nam but announced the expansion into Cambodia. Nixon Republican, Governor Rhodes a Republican responded with the National Guard. Protesting the war was not popular by the older generation. They were comming down from the Korean War and WW II. This was their answere. Many wounded or killed that day were not protesting, they were just going to their classes. There was a coverup. May 4 1970 NEVER FORGET!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@vlastik]

There is a similar song by them, called "Chicago". For some reason, people usually do not react to that one.

[@Spiritbro77]

This happened when I was a kid about 25 miles from here.

[@rittherugger160]

Why were they shot? Good question. The 4 dead on the ground weren't even part of the protest against the draft and the war in Viet Nam. The 4 dead were a hundred yards away from the protest. just being students, changing classes, going to the lab or the library.

[@Darryl_Frost]

You should listen to Young's Alabama as well, another powerful song from Neil Young.

[@kengunter6903]

Top song.

[@barbarabweaver1]

A great live listen is 49 Bye byes/ America’s Children

[@cheryllohr8779]

Try CSN "Cost of Freedom" Very short but says a lot. Harmonies are great